The Chevrolet Code 130R concept car is seen during the first press preview day at the 2012 North American International Auto Show.

Stan Honda, AFP/Getty Images

The Chevrolet Code 130R concept car is seen during the first press preview day at the 2012 North American International Auto Show.

Stan Honda, AFP/Getty Images

The Chevrolet Code 130R concept car is seen during the first press preview day at the 2012 North American International Auto Show.

Stan Honda, AFP/Getty Images

The Chevrolet Code 130R concept car is seen during the first press preview day at the 2012 North American International Auto Show.

Scott Olson, AFP/Getty Images

by
Nick Tragianis, National Post | May 7, 2013

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GM North America president Mark Reuss says he would like to see a sporty, inexpensive rear-wheel-drive coupe offered in Chevy’s portfolio.

And with the immense success of the Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S twins, who could blame him?

Automotive News says the 130R concept, which bowed at last year’s North American International Auto Show, is being eyed as the car that could take on the FR-S, BRZ twins.

Estimating a starting price in the low- to mid-$20,000s, Reuss cited “really strong feedback” as the reason why GM is reconsidering the car. While the Cobalt SS was not rear-wheel-drive, its departure left a void in the line up that could be filled by the 130R. Reuss recently introduced the Carmaro Z-28 at the New York Auto Show and was barely able to contain his enthusiasm for the rear-wheel-drive sports car. He’s clearly the type to push for a hot car that would slot below the Camaro.

Should Chevy decide to green light the 130 and build a truly affordable RWD sports coupe that has the same characteristics as the BRZ and FR-S, we would be the first to stand up and applaud.

Automotive News cited Reuss as saying that if GM decided to pull the trigger, it “would not do that design” seen on the Code 130R because it’s already dated. Reuss also said GM likely wouldn’t build it on the Alpha rwd platform on which the Cadillac ATS rides, preferring instead to underpin it with a platform that is “really scaleable and efficient.”